The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Maxie E. Kessler (MCSN: 291775), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a rifle squad leader serving with the THIRD Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces at Piva Forks, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on November 20, 1943. Leading his squad in a daring assault on a strongly defended Japanese position located in dense jungle undergrowth and realizing that immediate action must be taken to prevent annihilation of his men by the heavy enemy machine-gun fire, Sergeant Kessler unhesitatingly arose from cover, called upon the squad to follow him and charged directly into the hostile position, killing the crew of one machine gun and disrupting the coordination of the enemy’s fire. Although he was killed during the attack, his inspiring leadership and great courage enabled his comrades to destroy two other guns in the Japanese line and reach the assigned objective, thereby clearing the way for the advance of the platoon. Sergeant Kessler’s brilliant initiative and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.